The thoughts and perceptions of an aspiring writer on life and the world around her

Gather Round All Ye Lords and Ladies to Marvel at These Magnificent Costumes of the Ye Olde Renaissance Festival (Second Edition)

For all you lords and ladies in the Greater Pittsburgh Area, Renaissance Faire season is upon us. So if you enjoy 16th centuryish fun, games, and merrymaking, remember that it’s open only during weekends in September and Labor Day. Nevertheless, I did a Renaissance Festival post last year around this time which may not have gotten a lot of views, but since the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival is near my house, I thought I can do another edition for this year. After all, whenever you go to any of these events, you’re bound to see a lot of people in costumes. Are these historically accurate? Hell, no. But then again, most Renaissance fairs aren’t supposed to be educational, anyway. Besides, if you were in a real Renaissance European town, it would probably not be a very enchanting experience. For one, you’d have a very hard time keeping your clothes clean since the streets would be covered in horse shit. Second, you will not find anyone selling turkey legs because turkeys are North American birds and most of North American colonization would take place in the 17th century (though it’s a different story if we’re talking about the Spanish in the southern US and anywhere below that). Third, sanitation was horrible with people pissing and throwing their shit out windows, animals doing their business in the street, and lack of regular bathing. Fourth, since countries were ruled by authoritarian monarchies and princedoms, you could forget about the upper classes believing in free speech, freedom to worship (save in France within the last decades of the 16th century), or anything relating to social justice because they just didn’t give a shit. If you live in Spain, you might have to deal with the Spanish Inquisition and ruthless Catholic and expansionist monarchs. If you live in Italy, then you might have to worry more about noble families fighting with each other and using the Catholic Church as an avenue for social advancement while not giving a damn about priestly duties (until the Catholic Counter-Reformation started cracking down on this). If you live in Eastern Europe, then you’ll have to deal with either the Ottoman Empire or Russia at the time of Ivan the Terrible. Neither of which are good. And if you live in Northern Europe, then you’re in the middle of the Reformation which means you better conform to what your ruler believes and do what they say or else expect your life to be a living hell. That or be executed. Maybe both. Okay, I could say the same about any country in Renaissance Europe, but this mainly goes for the northern parts since they’re most likely to be exposed to, adopt, and possibly be forced to convert to Protestantism. Sure some rulers may be more tolerant than others but don’t count on it. Also, if your country is mostly Protestant, there’s a strong chance that you’ll be accused, convicted, and later executed for witchcraft even though your crime was simply having someone in your life who really didn’t like you or being a convenient scapegoat. Yes, you might be completely innocent, but no one’s going to help you and expect to see those you know and love join in the hysteria since they don’t want to be next. Fifth, jousting and other tournament activities were dangerous which resulted in serious injuries (as in Henry VIII’s case which screwed him up bad) and possibly death (as with Catherine d’ Medici’s husband Henri II of France). Sixth, modern medicine didn’t exist at a time when contagious deadly diseases were rampant while surgery basically consisted of hacking off limbs. Seventh, aside from tournaments, blood sports, animal fights, and public executions were seen as fun for the whole family. Eighth, thanks to the Reformations as well as power hungry rulers, warfare and violence was rampant and very ugly. And finally, those beautiful outfits you see in Renaissance paintings weren’t very comfortable or great to wear in the summer.

So you might understand why Renaissance festivals might take liberties with history and present the era as the fun time it wasn’t. Nevertheless, you’re bound to find costumes pertaining to a mishmash from everything relating to Middle Ages, Renaissance, and the 17th century to high fairy tale fantasy. And here I give you another treasure trove of Renaissance Faire costumes for your reading pleasure.

Sometimes a simple peasant dress is all you need.

Sure had she lived in the 16th century, it would be much dirtier and not in such bright colors. But she certainly looks lovely.

2. They may not be wicked enchanters, but their robes certainly are.

Not exactly what you’d see at Hogwarts. But they look so badass in their robes and staffs you don’t even care.

3. This fairy knows how to dress in silver and white.

Yes, I know it’s more fantasy than Renaissance. But you see people dressed like this at such festivals. Besides, a lot of Renaissance outfits are uncomfortable anyway.

4. Thanks to furry legs, this lady satyr doesn’t need a skirt.

Anyone familiar with Greek mythology should know that female satyrs were all male. Female satyrs were inventions by later poets.

5. When it comes to costume jewelry, sometimes there are no limits.

I think this woman is supposed to be a gypsy from what I could tell by her outfit. But I could be wrong. At least she has one of those metal perfumers around her waist even if it’s just for show.

6. Sometimes in a woman’s dressed, layered skirts are necessary.

Yes, women did wear multiple skirts in those days, particularly the wealthy. Still, while the skirts are nice, I’m not sure about the sleeves.

7. Anyone familiar with Renaissance history should be able to recognize good ol’ Henry VIII.

You know the English Tudor king who was married 6 times, beheaded 2 wives and a lot of his friends, broke with the Catholic Church, and later got very fat towards the end of his life. Yes, that’s the ruthless and colorful Henry VIII.

8. Not sure what these two or going for with the Venice Carnival masks.

Yes, they kind of look creepy. But apparently, these people think the masks are cool. So they go with them.

9. A medieval dress should always come with a matching cape of the same color.

Often it wouldn’t in the Middle Ages, because even the nobles had a very limited wardrobe. Seriously, clothes were expensive at that time.

10. Now that seems like a strange looking wench.

Yes, one of these guys is in a dress and most likely because he has a strange sense of humor. But please don’t judge him.

11. A woman should always be able to enjoy a good brew in all her finery.

Doesn’t hurt if they use the same colors either. Yet, only the guy is wearing the mask as well as a shirt under his.

20. At Renaissance Festivals, don’t be surprised to see at least multiple men in tights.

And I know one of these guys isn’t wearing pants. Or are tights pants in Renaissance costumes? You can’t be sure.

21. This chimera has a tendency to take breaks for light reading.

Sure his costume might be intimidating to many. But you have to love his big feet and horns.

22. This nature fairy is always more drawn to trees.

She even has a green dress and is holding a leaf that seems to be changing color. Guess fall must be around the corner.

23. A blue Renaissance dress could make any girl look like a princess.

Doesn’t hurt that it has matching yellow ribbons. Probably not cheap to make though.

24. A pirate couple always has to have matching pirate hats.

Yet, the lass could wear a short skirt if she wants to. Because these events aren’t meant to conform to historical accuracy anyway. And his outfit more or less belongs in the late 17th century. Possibly 18th.

25. A shiny blue outfit with pantaloons and tights looks great on any Renaissance man.

Because such outfits in the 16th century were a man’s way of showing how rich they were. Like the cape and hat.

26. A green and black dress is always stunning.

I guess she’s supposed to dress like a pirate from what I can tell. Then again, at least everything seems to match.

27. For this barbarian man, leather bracelets, boots, and skirt are all he needs.

You’d almost think this guy was Conan the Barbarian. Yet, at least he’s sporting a six pack.

28. This little bard dons his own princely shirt and tights.

Yes, he may only be in diapers. But he’s just so adorable in his rich costume that you don’t care.

29. Guess these travelers are out for the hunt.

Note that their guns are flintlock muskets which are single shot, take long to reload, and aren’t very great in speed and accuracy. On the other hand, they guys are wearing nice pants.

30. A little princess always has to carry a large scepter.

It also has to match her outfit as well. And as far as this girl’s concern, princess is only a stepping stone to becoming queen.

31. This forest ranger always has the proper tunic and cape.

Doesn’t hurt that this outfit helps him with the ladies and makes him look like a badass. He even has a sword, too.

32. Here we come across Queen Elizabeth I dressed in all her finery.

Yes, Queen Lizzy loved her pearl jewelry and ruffles. Because she had a lot of portraits depicting her like this. And yes, she used white makeup, which probably contained lead.

33. Is that the Joker and Harley Quinn? Wonder what they’re doing here.

Yes, it’s them. And they’re dressed in period costume to show. Though they’re still easy to pick out of a crowd since they’re Batman villains.

34. How about a pint with this jester?

Jesters often entertained with their songs, music, storytelling, acrobatics, juggling, magic, and comedy. However, while they were popular in the Renaissance, the tradition later declined in the 17th century.

35. This young faun likes to put autumn leaves in his antlers or horns.

Sure he looks like a faun or satyr. But the guy is wearing antlers. So it may be hard to say at any length.

36. Guess sometimes a Renaissance Festival can have a devilish element to it.

Or just have people dressed up as demons in their own incarnation. This one is mostly dressed in red with fur trimming on his outfit.

37. For a second, I thought this man came all the way from Sherwood Forest.

Yes, he does seem to be a member of the Merry Men with his ragged archer costume and a longbow. But unlike what you see in the Robin Hood stories, medieval outlaws mostly stole for themselves. And they could be quite violent, too.